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Feb.20, 2023 - Feb.26,2023
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We are officially in Lent now and I promised I would share some of my spiritual disciplines and exercises I practice during this season of the year. Since Lent is a season of sacrifice and awareness, I fast during lent. There are many different kinds of fasts and many reasons God’s people fast. Sometimes we fast for discernment about a major decision or for healing both spiritual and physical. Sometimes we fast for a friend or for direction. Sometimes when people are grieving they fast. Fasting is almost never an act of celebration. It is meant for spiritual renewal, and that happens best with sacrificial decisions. So we give up something for Lent, make a sacrifice. And what is more, we dedicate resources to someone or something to empower the Kingdom of God.
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I will be fasting every Monday and invite any who would like to join me. I have already started preparing my body by downsizing portions and eliminating sugars. Each week I will eat a light meal Sunday evening and then have nothing but water until Tuesday morning. I plan to then make an offering of the money I normally would have spent on food ($2.06 every Sunday for an apple fritter for starters). I fully expect this will total more than $100 by Easter. That will be my offering for Lent.
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Last year we focused our resources toward a ministry to the Ukranian people which became a ministry to refugees. This year we are dedicating our resources toward a ministry to the Cuban people and specifically to purchase medicines that are scarce. Each family and ministry is being challenged to raise funds from now thru Easter and all of the proceeds will be used to purchase medicines that will be sent through the district coordinator in Cuba and then distributed to the communities through the Methodist churches. Together we can make a big difference.
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I love being your pastor,
Ernie
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Volunteers to assist with art projects at Habana are needed! If you are availabe to assist this Saturday please contact [email protected]
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Click button below to take a peek into last month's activity.
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Yesterday we celebrated Ash Wednesday which is the beginning of Lent. Lent is a time of reflection and self-analysis and intentional consideration of what we believe and stand for as Christians. But, as dark as this sounds, if we do Lent right, we will emerge in 40 days with a renewed understanding of the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice for us and a renewed trust in God’s sovereignty in the light of the greatest spectacle and celebration that the universe has ever known: Easter. To learn more about the history of Lent and Wesley's intention for Sacrificial giving to medicines for Cuba during Lent, click button below.
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There will be a HOPE Rally for Network members on Feb.27 at 7pm at Hyde Park UMC for updates and testimonies on issues as we prepare to present and engage with local decision makers at the Nehemiah Action on March 20th.
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The HOPE Network Members for Wesley need your help!
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Please stand with us on March 20th at the Nehemiah Action!
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Our goal is to have 40 people from the Wesley Congregation at this event!
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Click button below to learn more about HOPE!
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METHODISTS UNITED IN PRAYER
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Volunteers are needed to assist at the Spring Festival with set up, take down, clean up, directing parking and easter egg hunt. Also we are looking for people to represent their ministry in the Ministry Marketplace, a new addition to the Spring Festival. If you are able to help, please contact Rochelle Mock at [email protected].
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WESLEY CRAFTY LADIES
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A big thank you to all the Crafty Ladies who are working so hard to get ready for the Spring Craft Fair on March 18 & 19. Craft Fairs are WOW's main way of fundraising where all the proceeds are used to support the following missions: World Team whose mission is to disciple and make disciples, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Kairos Prison Ministry, Bridging Freedom whose mission is restoration and prevention of minor sex trafficking, and short mission trips of the Wesley Youth and other members.
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WESLEY CHURCH OUTREACH
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Wesley will be casting seeds the first of March in surrounding communities with an outreach packet from the church. If you are available to help with folding brochures , stuffing bags with info and packing in groups of 30, please contact the church office at 813-769-9157 or email [email protected]. On Sunday, March 5 the congregation will be invited to pick up a pack of bags after the service and help distribute to surrounding communities.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROSE!
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Rose has been a member of Wesley Church for 55 years!
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If you would like to have an event or celebration (birth, graduation, marriage, travel, etc.) added to the ANNOUNCEMENTS section, please email [email protected] , including description of announcement along with any photographs.
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Wesley, you are such a faithful church! We thank you for your generous and giving hearts! You can Text To Tithe your offerings for Wesley Memorial UMC at this contact number - 813-699-4304. Within a few minutes, you’ll be sent a text with a link to register. Click on the link and enter your cardholder name and credit or debit information. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a text verification and a receipt of your donation via email. You can even text “repeat” to make it a recurring donation. Give + Text is one of the fastest and easiest ways to give.
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Or by standard mail by sending cash or check to
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6100 Memorial Hwy, Tampa FL 33615
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Office hours are Monday - Thursday 9am-3pm.
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We are here to help you with any of your needs.
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Church Contact Information:
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Pastor Ernie is continuing his series "Finding Jesus in the Old Testament". This is a not to be missed study focusing on a spiritual approach to the Old Testament that needs to be watched and shared with neighbors and friends! Join us every Tuesday morning at 7:30 am on Facebook or you can watch it later as well.
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"Paul says the great power of the law is it reveals my inner sin. And once I become aware, like Peter, I can't do this, then I am ready for what Paul calls a gift.
And it is this gift that saves us."
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A Prayer for Revival
Father God,
We live in such an age where people wander aimlessly to find something to give them meaning and life. What they seek they do not find, because they are not finding it in the true source of life itself-You. Father, today we come together as true and sincere followers of You to kindly and ardently ask for a revival of souls in this age. Father, You say in Matthew 7 to come and ask You as our Father for what we desire. Lord, we desire for our friends, families, and neighbors to be open and to seek and find the truth of the authentic source of life- You. We invite Your Holy Spirit to pour out onto the people You have made. We invite You to perform miracles, wonders, and to speak to the people You crafted with Your hands. Father, You say in Psalm 139 that You crafted each and every person in the hidden place in the palm of Your hand, and so we pray that truth will be brought to Light in each and every person You have crafted. It is only by Your Spirit that truth can be truly known (John 15:26) and so we implore this day for such revival of spirits, of nations, and of hearts.
In the Name of the Most High we pray,
Amen
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Please note that over the next month we are slowly transitioning to a new You Tube Channel. During this time livestreams will be posted on both channels. This button goes to the new You Tube Channel. Please be sure to subcribe! Also, please note, on both channels you must go to the Live button on the top menu button to see recent sermons. Thank You for your patience as we continue to work out issues with the You Tube channel.
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Sunday Sermon Feb. 19, 2023
"Lesson in Abundance"
Matthew 13:31-33
Rev. Lynn Bordelon
District coordinator of Sierra Maestra district
where our sister church in Cuba is located
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9am Traditional Service 11:15am Contemporary Service
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